Man Who Shot Home Invaders Busted For Growing Pot

EARLVILLE, Ill. (CBS) — A homeowner who defended his property by killing an intruder was behind bars Tuesday morning.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Bernie Tafoya reports, the LaSalle County Sheriff’s office says it was Sunday morning when Joel Contreras, 47, opened fire on two men who had broken into his rural home outside the town of Earlville, about 85 miles southwest of Chicago.

One of the alleged offenders, whose name has not been released, died at a nearby hospital . The other, Marcus Samarripa, 24, of California, fled after the shooting, but was later arrested and charged in home invasion.

Contreras now is in jail too, but the reason has nothing to do with his use of his gun to defend his home.

While investigating the home invasion, police allegedly found marijuana plants growing in Contreras’ basement.